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TRANSCRIPT
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© Secrets to Stay Sanitary
2015
Contents
Secrets to stay sanitary, even when everything around you is diseased and dangerous ..... 3
Water Supply .................................................................................................................. 4
Personal Hygiene ............................................................................................................ 6
Wash Your Hands ........................................................................................................... 6
Soap and Water ............................................................................................................... 7
Plain Hot Water .............................................................................................................. 7
Hand Sanitizer ................................................................................................................ 7
Moist Towelettes Or Baby Wet Wipes ........................................................................... 7
Gloves ............................................................................................................................. 8
Nail Hygiene ................................................................................................................... 8
Taking Care Of Your Excrement .................................................................................... 8
Women’s Hygiene .......................................................................................................... 8
Infant Care ...................................................................................................................... 9
Hair Care ......................................................................................................................... 9
Dental Care ................................................................................................................... 10
Body Care ..................................................................................................................... 10
Waste Disposal ............................................................................................................. 10
What not to do .............................................................................................................. 11
Campers and Camp Toilets ........................................................................................... 11
Bucket Toilets ............................................................................................................... 11
Composting Toilets ....................................................................................................... 11
Latrines/Outhouses ....................................................................................................... 12
Toilet Paper ................................................................................................................... 12
Garbage ......................................................................................................................... 12
Vermin Control ............................................................................................................. 12
Access Control .............................................................................................................. 13
Sequestration................................................................................................................. 14
Quarantine..................................................................................................................... 15
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LEGAL DISCLAIMER THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN SECRETS TO STAY SANITARY IS MEANT
TO SERVE AS A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF TIME-TESTED AND PROVEN
STRATEGIES THAT THE AUTHORS OF THIS COURSE LEARN OVER THE YEARS,
RELATED TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.
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Secrets to stay sanitary, even when everything around you is diseased and dangerous
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines basic sanitation in
the following manner: “Basic sanitation is described as having access to facilities for the
safe disposal of human waste (feces and urine), as well as having the ability to maintain
hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection, industrial/hazardous
waste management, and wastewater treatment and disposal.”
There are just some things that are a given in life. Under normal circumstances
you turn on the water and clean water comes out of the tap. Although many feel it
necessary to filter it using reverse osmosis or another method, the fact is it is potable
and in most cases safe to drink. You flush the toilet and the sewage is taken away to be
treated somewhere else. If you get a cut on any part of your body, you trust that the
water that comes out will help sanitize the open wound. Apply it a little soap and you
are ready for a bandage.
During any kind of catastrophe there will be disruption of the baseline services
that we routinely take for granted. For example, you may turn on the tap and nothing
comes out. With no water your toilet doesn’t flush and that cut can’t get washed, which
can lead to infection.
What all this comes down to is that you are ultimately responsible for your
health and well being. Part of living a prepper lifestyle is being ready for anything that
comes down the pike. Whether due to reasons of natural disaster, civil unrest, martial
law or terrorism, the one basic necessity we all come to rely on may not be available.
Rather than wait for that eventuality, let’s look at some things you can do to be
prepared to stay clean and healthy if you have a disruption of basic services for an
extended period of time.
Water Supply
Arguably the most important aspect of staying healthy is having a clean source of water.
If you can control your water supply you are way ahead of the game. Clean water is not
only important for drinking and staying hydrated but also for cleaning and washing.
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Many preppers store water by the hundreds of gallons. This is a good idea if you have
the room. Don’t buy those cheap milk jugs of water at the grocery store, as the plastic in
these will break down quickly and your water will leak out. A better idea is to invest in
the higher quality clear plastic jugs since they will keep much longer.
Products to look at include a water bob, which is a storage bladder that fits in
your bathtub. When the first sign of a disruption is seen, the bladder is filled with water
and you have a few gallons of storage.
Other preppers have built ponds and swimming pools on their property in order to have
a much bigger storage capacity.
But storing water is not a long term solution, especially if you have to stay clean,
or do any washing or disinfecting. You will need to secure a renewable source of water.
Your best source of potable water will be your own well that nobody else has access to,
which requires you to have good ground water in your area. If your well was safe before
a disruption it will probably be safe after one. The only concern would be an earthquake
in your area that could allow new contaminants into your well.
Others look to cisterns that collect rainwater. An old-fashioned rain barrel is just
a small cistern. Several can be connected together to make a formidable water
collection system.
Rivers, lakes and streams may be utilized if you have no other resources. The
problem with these water sources is that as others begin using them as well, they can
become contaminated all too quickly.
Any water you collect needs to be treated to make sure it is safe to drink. There
are several ways to accomplish this, and combining them will be better than relying on
one method only.
Water that isn’t clear to begin with will need the sediment removed. This can be
a two- stage process. First allow the water to sit, so all the heavy particulates settle to
the bottom of the container, and the lighter ones float to the top. Skim off the floating
material, and then carefully pour off the clear water above any sediment on the bottom.
You can pour muddy water directly into a filter mechanism but in the long run
your filter will last much longer if you pre-treat dirty water first, even if that means just
pouring it through several layers of cloth. If there is a chance of chemical contamination
you will need to soak it with charcoal to soak up the contaminants.
It is important to know that boiling your water will kill the bad bugs in it but will
not remove any chemical or heavy metal contamination.
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The CDC gives directions on how to treat your water with solar disinfection
(SODIS). This also reduces the amounts of virus, bacteria and protozoa in the water. To
treat your water with SODIS you will need clear containers for your water. Place your
clear water in the container and shake it up to oxygenate it. Then place the container on
a roof in the sun for at least six hours. The CDC recommends two days in cloudy
weather.
Another way to treat your water is with chemicals. Water can be treated with
chlorine, iodine and even the ancient practice of mixing water and wine, to make it
potable.
There are a huge number of water filters on the market. You will need to do some
research to find what will work best for your situation. It is highly advisable to have at
least two different filters along with several spare filer cartridges.
Whatever you do you must find a way to secure a potable water source. That is
your first order of business.
Personal Hygiene
Cleanliness is next to godliness, and if you don’t stay clean there is a chance you
will be meeting Him sooner rather than later.
In any kind of disaster, cleanliness and attention to basic personal hygiene is a
must. Without electricity and running water, it becomes much more difficult to deal
with germs and bacteria, but if you pay attention to basics, it is not impossible. Keeping
yourself clean in the first place is far easier than ignoring the cleanliness factor, getting
injured or sick, and then trying to get back to health without modern conveniences.
It is often said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is good
advice to heed, but how?
Wash Your Hands
It may seem obvious in today’s settings and with today’s knowledge, but the
simple act of washing your hands can ward off many health problems. There was a time
when people, even doctors, scoffed at the idea, but it has since proven to be greatly
beneficial.
Your hands are the point of contact with most everything you touch. From
relatively clean things like the food you prepare, to your children or other people, dirt,
feces, and who knows what else. If you neglect to regularly wash your hands, you have a
much greater risk of contaminating your food and everyone you touch with disease.
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It is very important to keep your hands free of potential contamination. You
should use prevention methods such as:
Soap and Water
Simple soap and water can go a long way in preventing health problems. There is
no need to get an antibacterial soap. In fact, you will probably want to stay away from
soaps containing triclosan, because overuse will break down the skin and make you
even more susceptible to infection and disease.
Get a supply of cheap, simple soap and a source of clean water. It won’t do you
wrong. If you can swing it, supply yourself with paper towels that you can cleanly dry
your clean hands with. While cloths are good in a pinch, bacteria can grow on cloth rags.
Although more wasteful and expensive, paper towels are better in the long run at
eliminating potential infection.
Plain Hot Water
If you don’t have any soap, a good rubbing and rinsing with hot water will go a
long way toward removing harmful germs from your hands and body. Don’t
underestimate the power of hot water! Use water as hot as you can stand, just don’t
scald yourself or your loved ones!
Hand Sanitizer
While hand sanitizer is not as good as washing with soap and water, it can come
in handy when water is scarce or not available. Although it is better to wash the germs
and bacteria off with soap and water, but sometimes that might not always be possible.
Sometimes we have to settle for just killing as many of the germs as we can. Be aware
that hand sanitizers do not kill everything. Generally, they kill 99.9% of germs, but they
do not kill every bacteria (such as MRSA, e.coli, and flu). Don’t let them give you a false
sense of security.
Hand sanitizers, with regular use, can cause skin to dry out, crack and even
bleed, where pathogens can more easily get in. Some people are more sensitive to this
than others. Look for varieties that contain alcohol to use during the most crucial/germy
times, and for more gentle varieties of hand sanitizer that do not contain alcohol.
Moist Towelettes Or Baby Wet Wipes
Moist towelettes usually have alcohol in them, which does a good job of killing
germs. Baby wet wipes usually do not contain the alcohol, but can be handy to use in
less-germy situations where you want to ‘wash’ your hands and do not have running
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water to do a thorough job of it. To avoid the issues of using hand sanitizers, wet wipes
are better for “less dirty” times, to give your skin a break.
Gloves
If you will be caring for the obviously sick or injured, gloves will go a long way in
preventing transfer of illness/pathogens to the others. You can also use gloves when you
don’t have access to other methods of cleaning your hands and you need to prepare food
or do other tasks where it is important not to spread germs and bacteria around.
Nail Hygiene
Always pay special attention to your nails when cleaning your hands. Nails trap
dirt and crud that is not dislodged during casual washing. Often overlooked is the fact
that long nails tend to harbor more germs and bacteria. Keep nails trimmed so they are
easier to keep clean.
Taking Care Of Your Excrement
While not everyone wants to admit it, taking care of the other end of things can
be a challenge. Hand cleanliness is imperative to keep risk of e.coli in foods and all of
the health problems that could potentially be deadly if not treated (or, better yet,
avoided).
One way that many cultures have dealt with this issue for a long time is to use
one hand for eating, and one hand for wiping oneself after doing one’s business. This
might seem gross to us, but it is one way of minimizing passing germs around. Make
sure you wipe yourself well and keep as clean as possible. Be sure and wash your hands
well after any bowel movements.
(See Waste Disposal for ideas on this topic)
Women’s Hygiene
Women have the added responsibility to think about what they are going to do
for when they are menstruating. This need cannot be ignored.
Be sure to stock up on disposable pads and tampons, as they very well may
become scarce and a high-need item if “TSHTF.” You may even be able to use an over
supply for barter items.
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Another good resource are cloth pads and other alternative reusable means.
Keeping a stash of your own cloth pads can be a very helpful, economical way to deal
with menstruation, as long as you have a way to wash them after each use.
Prepper women shouldn’t be without silicone or rubber menstrual cups.
Silicone/rubber menstrual cups (such as the Keeper, the Diva cup, or the Luna cup), are
reusable for up to 10 years. They need to be washed periodically and boiled before and
after each cycle, but they are the easiest of all ways to deal with menstrual needs, and
take the least amount of care and water. They don’t work for everyone, though, so it is
recommended that you pick one up before disaster strikes so you can get over the
learning curve.
Because these are reusable, in the right situation they can be a high-trade item if TSHTF.
Infant Care
The main thing to consider in preparing for infant care is diapers.
Diapers are a real need, especially since in a high-stress situation Elimination
Communication may go by the wayside (though it’s not completely off the table if the
mother/caretaker is up to it).
Disposable diapers can be had in large amounts. Even the cheapest diapers are
better than no diapers. Cloth diapers are the next alternative. Keep a stash around, as
they can be used for many other purposes other than mere diapers if you don’t have a
baby around. Get a couple sets of diaper pins or a Snappi to help hold the diaper in
place. Flat fold diapers are best, since they can be creatively folded to fit anywhere from
newborn size up to toddler size, are easier to clean since they are one-ply, and they dry
more quickly than diapers made of sewn multiple layers.
In the days of civil defense shelters, it was recommended that if you had infants
and small children with no diapers, to cordon off an area and allow the children to run
naked. The idea was to keep the mess confined to one small area. Obviously you would
not put an infant in with a two year old, but the basic idea should be considered if no
other means are available.
Hair Care
If hair is not taken care of properly, lice or fleas may decide to take up residence.
If no way is available to care for your hair consider cutting it off and keeping it closely
shorn.
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If you can’t wash it and you won’t cut it you could use a mud wash. Thoroughly coat
your hair and scalp with mud and let it dry. Then start breaking the dried mud up and
brush it from your hair.
Dental Care
It is important to take care of your teeth. Neglecting dental care can lead to
cavities and other issues that are both painful and hard to deal with in a survival
situation. Put a toothbrush and toothpaste in your BOB, have some spares in your
prepping supplies, and educate yourself on creative ways of making your own dental
hygiene supplies.
Chew a twig from an aromatic tree until it is frayed and use this to brush your
teeth. This was called a “chew twig.” Dip it in salt for a more aggressive cleaning.
Body Care
In warm weather bathe as often as you can justify using the water. Just like
washing your hands, this is a preventive measure that will keep you cleaner and
healthier. If you are short on water consider taking sponge bathes. You should check
yourself daily for parasites, as no one wants tick fever or some other malady. Limit your
exposure to the sun. A severe sunburn can open your skin up to many infections.
Personal hygiene is largely a matter of preventative maintenance. Take care of
your body by keeping it clean and it will most likely take care of you by staying healthy.
Waste Disposal
What do you do with your waste when the sewer stops working, and the
garbage trucks stop running? You can’t just let things pile up helter skelter and expect to
stay healthy.
Untreated human waste can contaminate whole communities and lead to
disease and infection. On the other hand, human waste that is treated properly can be a
boon to a sustainable community.
For centuries in Asian countries farmers would build latrines on the edge of their
fields hoping to entice travelers into leaving a deposit of rich fertilizer that they could
spread on the field. If you don’t want to recycle your own waste, you can dig a hole,
squat, do your business, and cover it up thoroughly.
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What not to do
An open cesspool or ditch latrine is very unhealthy. Any system where there is
uncovered excrement will allow flies to transmit germs and parasites from the
excrement to your food supply. From this is how cholera can spread quickly.
In the late 60s there was a small commune that decided to drop out of society.
Things went well for a couple months. Everyone sat around getting stoned and
communing with nature. Then a wave of dysentery went through the community, and
while no one died they all decided to pack up and return to civilization. The reason?
Open latrines.
There are a few options for treating your sewage that should keep you clean and
healthy.
Campers and Camp Toilets
Those toilets with blue chemicals will get you through a short disruption but
can’t be counted on for a long term situation.
Bucket Toilets
Some preppers use a simple five gallon bucket lined with a garbage bag and a
little bleach in it. When the bag is full they dispose of it somewhere. A better bucket is
the sawdust or earth bucket. Again a simple five gallon bucket with a layer of sawdust or
dry dirt in the bottom every time someone uses the toilet they cover their excrement
with a handful us sawdust or dirt.
It is best to have at least two of these buckets because when one is filled up it is
set aside to “work” until the next one is filled. The first one is then emptied into the
compost pile and buried or is buried in an out of the way spot. This method is actually
mostly odor free and clean.
Composting Toilets
There are ready made units available for purchase that require little or no water
to operate. They work the same as the sawdust bucket but with a greatly increased
capacity. You can build a larger bucket unit for yourself if you are handy and save quite
a bit of money.
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Latrines/Outhouses
The old pit outhouse is what the hippies of the commune used. If you are going
to use one you need to make sure and sprinkle sawdust, dirt or lime in the pit after each
use to keep the flies down.
Toilet Paper
TP is a luxury that many preppers buy in bulk. But if you run out you can try
some substitutes. Paper of any kind can be used. The outhouses of old had an old Sears
catalog in them just for that reason. Other things to try include corn cobs, sticks, leaves
(be sure it is not poison ivy), a handful of sawdust or grass, and in the winter a handful
of snow. If all else fails your bare hand can be used and then washed thoroughly.
Garbage
Dealing with your garbage is important also. Garbage lying around attracts
vermin and disease. Compostable things can go on the compost pile, otherwise bury
them.
Combustible garbage like paper and cardboard can be burned to stay warm or
even cooked over, but don’t directly grill food over garbage. Use it only as a source of
heat.
Vermin Control
Rats and other vermin can spread disease and should be controlled by all means
at your disposal.
Remove any places for them to hide; piles of lumber and rubble allow them to
borrow and move around unseen. This may not be possible in cases of severe
disruption.
Poison might be an option for you, and should be seriously considered especially
if your disruption is disease based. However, a word of caution: if you have other
animals, such as a dog or a cat, they, too can eat the poison.
Trapping is a good way to reduce the population. Setting out multiple traps will
thin the population quickly.
Shooting will work if the population is high and you have the time to sit around
waiting. A pellet rifle is a great rat reduction tool. Cats and dogs will put a dent in the rat
population, but it takes an aggressive cat to wipe out rats.
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When things are really bad rats can be eaten for food. Just be sure you are
prepared to deal with any flea infestations you might pick up.
Supplies You Want to Store Beforehand
• Disinfectants and cleaners
• Alcohol Rubbing and Drinking
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Iodine Soap
• Wet wipes
• Alcohol wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Bleach
• Drugs/Remedies Herbal remedies
• Prescription drugs/ vet meds
• Bag Balm
• Sun Screen
• Consumables
• Toilet paper
• Garbage bags
• Masks
• Disposable gloves
• Paper plates
• Plastic Knife/fork/spoons
• Diatomaceous earth (for dealing with parasite and keeping flies down)
• Tampons and pads
• Diapers
• Plastic sheeting
• Water storage
• Bug dope
• Body powder
Access Control
Once you have your immediate area safe and clean of contaminants you will
need to have a plan to keep it that way.
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If the situation warrants it you will want to secure an area that you or your group
can control all access to. This may be your apartment, home, neighborhood, town or even
county.
During the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak the western slope county of Gunnison in
Colorado enacted sequestration in order to protect its citizens. Everyone entering the
county to stay, was put into a two-day quarantine. Barricades were erected at the
county line and all motorists were told not to stop or pick up passengers. The same
went for the rail station, no one could get off the train or they would be arrested and
put into quarantine.
When the quarantine went into effect there were already two cases of flu in the
county. They were an infected woman who came to visit her sister on a remote ranch.
Both sisters became ill and the local woman died a few days later. These were the only
deaths during the sequestration.
A third wave of the flu made it to the valley a couple months after the ban was
lifted resulting in the deaths of five young people. As you can see if you can control who
you are in contact with, there is a good chance of avoiding being infected or
contaminated.
The biggest problem you will run into is trying to enforce the boundaries of your
secure area. The area should be kept as small as possible to allow for the greatest
control over the area.
You cannot control what people around you do with their sewage, garbage, bio
and hazardous waste, but you can keep people from bringing those things into your
home.
There are two things we can learn from Gunnison County
Sequestration
The county closed its borders in order to protect its citizens. . On a small scale
this is what the US government tells you to do by sealing your windows and door with
plastic and duct tape. While that may work on a small home it allows little leeway for
travel in and out of the home. Anyone who is planning on bugging in is planning on
sequestration.
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Quarantine
They quarantined themselves to keep out possible contagions. Anyone who
came into the area of control had to spend 48 hours under quarantine. You can do this
on any scale available to you. Set aside a small place to quarantine anyone who needs
to enter your area of control.
An additional point to consider is a decontamination area. This is an area for
newcomers to be cleaned, decontaminated, deloused, or whatever needs done to clean
them up. It can be as simple as a washtub set and cordoned off with plastic in your
foyer.
Access control boils down to making sure no one brings new contaminants into
your area of control.
Our environment is full of contaminants and contagions, you will never be able
to avoid each and every one, but if you are careful, keep yourself clean and handle
potential threats proactively you stand a good chance of staying healthy while others
around you are succumbing to all sorts of hazards.